CE EQUIPMENT CONNECTION - Compact Equipment

Breaking Out
When the time comes for destruction, a CUL can be
paired with a concrete breaker to rip, destroy and shatter
the tough material that stands in its way. Concrete breakers
are attachments that are primarily used for demolition
purposes. For example, CUL breakers are often utilized to
break up concrete in driveways, patios and parking lots.
These heavy-duty attachments allow for areas to be broken
apart and carried away for new construction to take place;
attach a grapple bucket to your CUL and haul off the debris.
A concrete breaker is categorized by its impact energy in ftlbs.
The impact energy class can range from 150 to 300 ft-lbs
for compact utility loaders.
“The higher the class of the breaker, the more fl ow and
pressure will be required from the hydraulic system,” explains
Dan Roberts, Toro Sitework technical service representative.
“Concrete breakers are also measured in blows per minute.”
Like all CUL implements, the breaker is attached to
the front end of a CUL through a universal quick-attach
system. For a CUL to operate a breaker, it must produce 8
to 12 gallons per minute (gpm) of hydraulic fl ow for the
attachment to work effi ciently. When using the breaker for
work on sidewalks, driveways, etc., Jaime Wines, product
manager of compact utility equipment for Ditch Witch,
suggests positioning it vertically and lowering it until it
reaches its point of contact. Then the hydraulics should
be activated and the breaker is ready to operate. Although
the breaker attachment is relatively simple to operate,
positioning it when operating may pose some challenges
to the operator.
“The big place you will have diffi culties with breaking
is when you’re working pure horizontally,” says Reed.
“Horizontal operation is not recommended with a compact
utility loader breaker. An operator can work in any other
position than horizontal. It’s mounted so it can be adjusted
any way. When the breaker is working in pure horizontal
applications, you’re just not maximizing its power.”
A breaker attachment for a compact utility loader can
range from $6,000 to $11,000, depending on manufacturer
and any added options.
Different chisel points, moil points and asphalt cutters
are available options to customize a breaker attachment to
accommodate different work conditions. By adding various
dedicated chisel or moil points, an operator can handle
specifi c jobsites with the best possible break point for the
project. Operators should always look to adding options to
customize his or her unit for particular projects.
“It is important to choose the right tool and options for the
material being broken,” says Roberts. “Some manufacturers
offer a tamper tool option in order to compact the soil after
demolition, prior to pouring new material.”
A breaker attachment does require regular maintenance
checks to ensure it is working properly. Today’s breaker
attachments require less maintenance than those prior,
especially with keeping its battery charged.
“If you went back a couple of years, the breaker would need
to be recharged on a frequent basis,” explains Reed. “Now they
can go a year or two before needing to be recharged.” The moils
on the breaker should also be checked to identify any excessive
wear. The material that an operator is hammering is a big factor
in how often the moils will need to be replaced. Another
maintenance concern comes from the CUL itself. Since the attachment
causes a vibration to the machine, parts on the CUL
should be checked to ensure they are fastened on correctly.
“A real challenge lies in that the hammer is vibrating all
the time, so the bushings on the arms of the CUL may need
to be replaced or reinforced,” says Reed. “Regular machines
will need to replace the bushings once or twice a year, while
a dedicated machine will have to reinforce and/or replace
them every six months or a year.”
Not much can stand in the way of a concrete breaker. When utilized correctly, a breaker attachment can smash large pieces of concrete.
Using the breaker in a horizontal position is not recommended; the operator should reposition the attachment to truly maximize its power.
compactequip.com January 2008 Compact Equipment 25